Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Cambodia (Ratification: 1971)

1. The Committee notes with regret that for the seventh consecutive year the Government’s report has not been received. It urges the Government to supply a report for examination by the Committee at its next session.

2. In its 2005 observation, the Committee noted the “Better Factories Cambodia” programme, established in 2001, which is managed by the ILO and supported by the Government, the Garment Manufacturers’ Association in Cambodia (GMAC) and trade unions (see http://www.betterfactories.org/ILO/). The programme is funded by the Governments of Cambodia, France and the United States, as well as by GMAC and international buyers. “Better Factories Cambodia” is creating services to help the industry improve working conditions, while at the same time improving quality and productivity. It offers to the industry a progressive range of training opportunities and resources. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the outcome of this programme and how it contributed to employment creation.

3. In previous reports received until 2000, the Government indicated that employment generation was the most important strategy for poverty reduction. The Committee had previously noted that greater diversification of the economy was needed to achieve poverty reduction and employment creation. It also asks the Government to provide information on the progress made in diversifying the economy, particularly concerning agricultural and rural development. It also requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to ensure that employment, as a key element of poverty reduction, is central to macroeconomic and social policies. It would also be grateful to be able to examine information on the results achieved in improving the supply of vocational and technical training and promoting an enterprise culture (Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention and the Job Creation in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Recommendation, 1998 (No. 189)).

4. The Committee noted previously that the country’s statistics were not very reliable and that the ILO had provided support to the relevant ministry to develop labour market indicators. In this regard, the Committee recalls the importance of establishing a system for the compilation of labour market data and asks the Government to inform it on any progress made in this field and to provide information on the employment policy measures adopted following the establishment of new information systems.

5. Article 3. Participation of the social partners. The Committee noted previously that a tripartite Labour Advisory Committee had been formed in 1999. Please supply information on the activities of the Labour Advisory Committee, including information on whether it is consulted on the development and review of employment policies and programmes. It further requests the Government to supply information on how the views of the persons affected, such as rural and informal sector workers, are taken into account.

6. Finally, the Committee emphasizes the fact that the preparation of a detailed report, including the indications requested in this observation, will provide the Government and the social partners with an opportunity to evaluate the achievement of the objectives of full and productive employment set out in the Convention. The Committee draws the Government’s attention to the technical assistance offered by the Office, which may assist it to comply with its reporting obligations and in the implementation of an active employment policy within the meaning of the Convention.

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2008.]